the good gift

The last weekend of November was dedicated to celebrating my Kenneth. He is not the type that gets exited about his birthday as opposed to myself. In my book, birthdays are wonderful and it is super important to celebrate the existence of loved ones.

That being said, it can easily be difficult to find the good gift or arrange something when you get no clues or pointers in terms of wishes. Kenneth is the kind of person who never has a specific wish. A problem that I think most people can recognize especially during these christmas days with family members with no whishes. I think it's sweet, but also makes it a bit more complicated. My strategy at Kenneth's birthday is therefore to think in small packages that can be opened at the morning breakfast table, and otherwise focus on special experiences. This year it included good company, extra delicious food and a spa stay.

I told him were going to the Spa Hotel Skodsborg. We packed our bags and he was looking forward to a night of relaxation. But a few minutes before the expected departure, a group of his closest friends made a surprise entrance at our flat. The confusion and the joy was big when it darned on him that he was going to spend the evening in the company of friends' and instead to go to Skodsborg the following day. Which showed to be absolute perfect to have planned for110% relaxation on a slow Sunday after festivitas.

Light, water and sauna gus

Skodsborg's beautiful spa facilities and traditions are based on 'the healthy life', focusing on the elements of light, air, water, healthy diet, exercising and resting. A focus I personally think pervades the physical setting, but also the ambiance of employees and guests. And I am filled with a well-being to such an extent that I will actually say that this is my favorite spa in Denmark. We were lucky to experience the special Finnish sauna gus, which includes an essential tar oil, and 'whipping' with a bundle of birch branches with leaves. By the sound of it this doesn't sound like anything you would ever want to try. But in reality it was an authentic, cleansing and therapeutic experience. I've always had a hate/love relationship with sauna gus because it's exhausting and wonderful at the same time. Kenneth was not at all drawn to the idea, but after having been in the 80-100 degree hot sauna, chocolate scrub and jumped into the ice-cold sea just next to Skodsborg, even Kenneth's loved it and was completely high on endorphins.

Staying the night

We had the pleasure of staying in a luxurious spa suite that offered the softest king size bed and a huge bathroom with free standing bathtub.

Ever since my first visit to Skodsborg a few years back I have dreamt of an overnight stay. It felt like the perfect birthday celebration not having to get out in the cold and drive back to the city noise, but instead tiptoe through the hotel's hallways in bathrobes and sink into the bed after several hours in the spa. We layed there for a short while before our dinner reservation at The Brasserie and agreed that our life was something to be very grateful of.

Breakfast in bed

In the morning we wanted to enjoying be just the two of us so we ordered breakfast to our room, which I would recommend everyone to do. Croissants, cinnamon rolls, avocado, eggs, coffee and juice. It was just so nice that we couldn't resist taking some pictures of it before we tasted the goods (see BTS in K's vlog). I love breakfast in bed and it really does say downtime more than anything else which reminds me that a tray for that occasion might be a perfect Christmas wish.

An authentic experience

The staff had found out that we celebrated Kenneth's birthday and surprised us by serving the most lavish and chocolate cake with three different layers of mousse. We later found out that they have their own confetionery and sells both slices and whole cakes in The Lobby. It was impossible to squeeze down more than a single piece why the cake came with us home to Nørrebro in a cute pastry box.

In this regard, I have applause the team at Skodsborg, who made it such an authentic collaboration with much attention and concious service suited our personal situation. As previously stated, we were invited by the Skodsborg team. In addition, I shot pictures for the English magazine Condé Naste Traveler, which will be published in Spring 2018.

To situation this recommendation this post, as well as Kenneth's vlog from our stay was made on our own initiative. Because we could keep ourselves from doing it and because we loved the experience and sincerely would recommend such a stay to anyone. If you love getting spa treatments, need a space to breath in slowlu or is in need of an idea for a luxury experience to give as a present, like my case.

Launch

This morning I was invited to breakfast and launch of the new stationary / paper goodsbrand, NOTEM Studio, at a habour front in Nordhavn. It happens rarely that I end up sharing photos from an event in this journal, but today is an exception.

NOTEM Studio creates beautiful and functional products rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition. It's products that make you want to drop whatever smart digital tool you are using and enjoy the slower pace and the tactile sensation of using paper.

The reason why I write this is because of the founder Signe Birkvig. I have met Signe once before, but never with a real handshake. I said yes to the invitation because she is good at her craft. What motivated me to write was her welcoming speech to the attendees. As she spoke to us next to the water, with her products displayed around the venue, her voice was real and quivering. She was moved by the launch and excused herself.

The excuse reminded me of dreams. How they are often the beginning of something. How they can completely take over ones life when we dare to act upon them. How fear of failing in the process can be very present. And how the sensation of realizing a dream is greater than the most. Moving.

How we all have dreams. Some are still hesitant and contemplating. Some have reached a turning point and sprung into the crazy ride. Family, friend, aquaintance or stranger. Little is as great as celebrating dreams coming true. This morning was such a day. Congratulations on making NOTEM studio a reality.

The business model of tommorow?

It took me quite some time to find out how to tell everything that is needed to be said in regards to my encounter with the wonderful and visionary company Social Foodies. I hope you will take your time to read and consider.

Social Foodies sells eg. icecream, chocolate, nuts and seeds, of a high quality in terms of taste and 'pureness' of ingredients, but... Here's the twist that makes this story important for me to tell:

VALUE FOR MANY

Social Foodies is a private social business which means that it is earning money in alignment with regular market conditions but uses its profit to create jobs for vulnerable social groups or create a solution to other social or environmental challenges. Hereby following a sustainable and circular oriented business model. This means value for many and not just the owner of the company. Social Foodies' chocolate is not only the richest product I've had, but it is also produced socially responsible by considering the local farmers in Africa and the production in Denmark. But This basically means that you become more than just a consumer, you're an active participant in a circle of development work when indulging in your sweets. Seriously, isn't that amazing?

THE BRIGHT HEAD BEHIND IT

Meet Thor Thorøe, founder of Social Foodies. He is also founder of the big ice cream franchies Paradis Is, that he chose to leave after 10 years, because the business was heading in a direction of prioritizing profit and commercial upscaling over the social values that it was originally founded upon. He therefore started Social Foodies after several visits in Africa where most of the ingredients are grown and produced at the chocolate factory Cocoafair. I had an hour long talk with Thor a day I visited the store at Gl. Kongevej and the conversation, the visions and ideas was echo-ing in my thoughts many days after. I think I got a dreamy glimpse of how the world would look if all businesses were based on and considering the same values as Social Foodies'. Thor is full of incredible stories that many could learn from and he actually reminded me a bit of my amazing father - the definition of a driven human, with a kind heart and everlasting energy.

.. the visions and ideas was echo-ing in my thoughts many days after.

Bounty bars and diagnoses

After an hour of talk Thor got restless and stood up. He quickly went behind the counter and started to make these coconut 'bounty' bars - one of my personal favorites! All of the products are handmade and mostly done in-store as seen on the pictures. The other practicalities in the production in Denmark (for instance transportation or packaging) are done by employees with different diagnoses such as ADHD, Aspergers or Down's Syndrom.

'Flødebolle' workshop

Social Foodies kindly invited me and a couple of friends for a cream puff 'flødebolle' workshop and I couldn't say no as they took the prize for the best cream puff in CPH 2016. We had so much fun that afternoon with Thor hosting the workshop! I sucked, my friends Sophie & Jesper sucked, while Kenneth took the 1st prize with his experience as soft-ice maker back in his teen years. Cool fact: one cream puff pays a daily salary in Africa.. Puff!

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen

Photo: Kenneth Nguyen

Because Its important

Why do I want to use my space to tell this? Because it's important. The majority of companies today only prioritize the social aspects and potential of their business when they reach success on the bottomline and only after that they spend big money on CSR work. Don't get me wrong, CSR is better than nothing, but in my opinion the problem is that the above mentioned way is like buying a good consciousness and it is doing things backwards.

I really do believe that social businesses are the businesses of the future. It is what our society and environment need in order to change for the better. Therefore Social foodies is a concept that more people need to know about because it serves as the perfect example of doing good better! This is really no false advertisement (and this is not a sponsored post either): Not only is the idea and vision good, but they execute the idea and they create straight up amazing products. I got so happy to know that when I need my chocolate I don't have to settle with a purchase that doesn't serve a greater purpose than consumption. We as consumers hold a lot of power which shapes the market. A power that we're not always aware of. We need to demand this power and the change we want to see through our consumption.

Thanks to Social Foodies,for expanding my horizon and my awareness of the options I have.Thanks to you for reading this story!

his & her TASTE Wondered what this is all about? Kenneth and I decided to join creative forces by creating this concept of stories of the best places or experiences we meet on our way. Wether it's at home in CPH or out in the big world. For us it's about sharing gems and spreading the word to all of you. We combine art direction, photography and writing and all content of 'his & her TASTE' is created in collaboration between the two of us unless something else is stated.